Reading Response #4

We’re reading about crowdsourcing this week, including a particular type of crowdsourcing: crowdfunding. Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Gofundme are all examples of crowdfunding platforms. Are they viable options for funding journalism on an ongoing basis? Why or why not?

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5 thoughts on “Reading Response #4”

Crowdfunding platforms are not viable options of funding journalism on an ongoing basis because the funding is not consistent and in this day and age, with trust in journalists at an all time low, why would people want to donate to journalism. These platforms are not trustable for journalism funding because the results of gaining funds won’t always be consistent. @astaritanews , my response answers your question. I don’t believe that these platforms are reliable enough options. What is the backup plan for the journalist if the crowdfunding fails terribly?

I agree with @Kaenicole that crowd funding programs can be beneficial for small establishments. I believe the donations are made depending on how people respond to the advertising methods. The more you put yourself and your product out there the more people will take interest in what it is that you were doing. This will make them want to donate because they will know what your cause is. For me I feel that the only way to determine if something is true or a scam is to just get as much background information on it as you can. If it does not look reliable then you should not invest your time or donation into it. My question, is crowdsourcing the most effective way to get donations?

In my opinion, both Kickstarter and GoFundMe are viable options for crowdfunding. In general, crowdfunding over the internet has become a popular way to engage in public support. Kickstarter is a good crowdfunding platform and from the reading, it seems to be always improving. The article says that “from April 2009-September 2015 there have been 658 related projects that were proposed on Kickstarter” which received full or nearly full funding. Based on the chart from the reading, the number of funded journalism projects increased and keeps increasing over time. Kickstarter is a public benefit cooperation that is one of the two major crowdfunding platforms. GoFundMe is also a viable source for crowdfunding. I know lots of people that turn to GoFundMe as their crowdfunding platform and have had positive experience in using the platform successfully to achieve their goals. Both Kickstarter and GoFundMe are viable sources because many people use each platform and they get the job done. If there are any negatives to crowdfunding, what would they be?

I think a considerably negative is the off chance your crowdfunding doesn’t get the wanted attention needed for example your smaller businesses or newspapers. They could either get the entire community and more or they could get nothing and be left to the wind if they are simply depending on those profits to keep afloat. what are some ways to make crowdfunding beneficial for say a small establishment.

Crowdfunding programs can be beneficial for a small establishment if they advertise it in a way that shows how it will help them. For example, I personally have had friends use go fund me accounts for a charity or to help a business start up. I believe that if you advertise in the right way people would be more inclined to donate. My question that I pose to you is how can you determine whether a cause is true or a scam? How would you feel being misused?